Villeneuve withdrawal casts doubt on his future

BMW Sauber yesterday hinted that the former world champion Jacques Villeneuve may not finish the season with the team.

The Canadian announced that he is not ready to compete in Sunday's Hungarian grand prix at Budapest following his accident at Hockenheim where he crashed heavily in the German round of the world championship.

Villeneuve's place alongside Nick Heidfeld will be taken this weekend by the 21-year-old Polish driver Robert Kubica, who has impressed the team throughout the season in his role as Friday test driver and reserve. He will become the first Pole to contest a formula one grand prix.

BMW's motorsport director Mario Theissen said: "Jacques has informed us that he is not ready to race after his Hockenheim accident. Robert has made an outstanding impression with the team so far. However, we have not yet made a decision on who will drive the car either in the remaining races of the season or next year."

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